Ford Performance Tune

[18Ventura]

Hasanyone wondered if Livernois had anything to do with this? View attachment 14879

I believe that Livernois manufacturers the ProCal device. But the FP calibration is done by Ford.

 

[st8]

Anyone familiar with these FP tunes in other ford vehicles? They’re not new to this concept and execution. I’ll do some further research but I’ve never read anything bad about previous FP tunes.

 

[CareerFiremanGuy]

This is getting nuts ...

When I bought a factory Stage 2 GMPP (Generals Motors Performance Pack) tune for a Chevy I had, I just took the box of parts I received, went to a Chevy dealer and they said "okay" and called me when it was ready.

No looks of "what is this" or "we never heard of this before" or "sorry, we don't do this". They just did it.

FORD Service Departments need to step up their game.

 

[LopezST]

I received a similar response from my local dealer and ended up having ASE tech install it.

 

[Cdubya]

I believe that Livernois manufacturers the ProCal device. But the FP calibration is done by Ford.

Yeah, same device as Livernois. It has been available to other tuners as well under the name uCal. Pretty easy to install and use, and no laptop required when attached to the car. You attach it to your PC to send and receive calibrations, which has also been dummy-proofed.

 

[banniar]

If one gets the FP tune installed at the dealer, then overwrites it with a 3rd party tune, but flashes back to FP before going to dealer, would this appear any different than if they'd just flashed back stock tune instead of the 3rd party version?

 

[Blown F-150]

If one gets the FP tune installed at the dealer, then overwrites it with a 3rd party tune, but flashes back to FP before going to dealer, would this appear any different than if they'd just flashed back stock tune instead of the 3rd party version?

Good question, not sure if anyone has done that.

In the case of a SCT device the FP tune strategy would have to be supported by SCT or the SCT tune wouldn’t load and I doubt that SCT would support the FP strategy, as it’s really an aftermarket tune.

For HPT, I don’t think it really matters, but could be wrong. As long as the base file that you “read” off the car for your tuner to work with is the FP tune, you should be able to load your HPT tune over it. HPT would basically consider your FP tune as “stock”. But, that’s assuming that your tuner will want to work with the FP tune as the base tune. I have no idea if you provided the stock tune as your base file, what would happen if you tried to load up the HPT file “on” the FP tune. I don’t think it would work as I can’t load my HPT tunes if I have a SCT tune loaded.

I’m assuming that you would want to do this to leverage that you bought the FP tune if there was a failure?


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[banniar]

There has been lots of conversation regarding warranty issues and statements that the dealer can tell you've flashed. I'm past the 3 year mark on my ST, but I have the extended warranty and am not inclined to go down this road for a while. In any case, I'm not looking to spend 2x necessary to get the benefits of a tune. Still, I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up sooner, and figured it would liven up the discussion.

 

[TMac]

There has been lots of conversation regarding warranty issues and statements that the dealer can tell you've flashed. I'm past the 3 year mark on my ST, but I have the extended warranty and am not inclined to go down this road for a while. In any case, I'm not looking to spend 2x necessary to get the benefits of a tune. Still, I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up sooner, and figured it would liven up the discussion.

Is anyone else completely at a loss as to what he said? Perhaps you could be more precise on what "hasn't been brought up sooner", what road you're "no inclined to go down".

 

[Rugrat2553]

Is anyone else completely at a loss as to what he said? Perhaps you could be more precise on what "hasn't been brought up sooner", what road you're "no inclined to go down".

I think he may be concerned with future warranty but doesn't want to spend the extra money on the FORD tune.

Or possibly buy a Ford tune and a different tune for more performance and try to flash back to the Ford tune from the other tune for warranty repairs? I... I'm not sure either

 

[banniar]

"Not inclined to go down this road" = "I don't want to do it", at least not now. Maybe I missed this, but I haven't seen anyone ask if this FP warranty'd tune could be overwritten with something else, and the dealer be able to tell any difference between that and a reset to stock, which I'm assuming is supported by the FP tuner hardware. If there is a lower chance of warranty claims being denied with the FP tune vs. aftermarket, I thought the community would be interested.

I'll be more careful with my dated figures of speech going forward... Also, I should probably have quoted the messages above.

 

[Blown F-150]

There has been lots of conversation regarding warranty issues and statements that the dealer can tell you've flashed. I'm past the 3 year mark on my ST, but I have the extended warranty and am not inclined to go down this road for a while. In any case, I'm not looking to spend 2x necessary to get the benefits of a tune. Still, I'm surprised this hasn't been brought up sooner, and figured it would liven up the discussion.

I would think the same rules still apply if they actually look into it. They would still see that something has been flashed (IIRC, one key indicator is key cycle count at the dealer level). I think that is one reason they look to have a third party install it (Ford Dealer or ASE Tech), is so there is a paper trail for them to confirm against.

 

[Blown F-150]

One angle that I'm not sure has been covered here, but the FP tune also appears to be tow friendly. Probably one factor in the lower overall HP. The durability testing they require would include all driving modes and capacities.

 

[deadhead20st]

There is a paper with a download code for the tune. Not sure If I need to downloads the file or let the dealership do it.

I just installed mine tonight. Love that it fixed the shifting, real nice like. Plus instant throttle response.

Simple go to Ford performance site. Create a free registration. Click on procal4. Them enter certificate number.

Then it shows a link in blue.. download the procal4 software to your PC. Install it.

Then plug the procal4 4 via USB to computer.. software automatically starts and loads into procal4.

Once that is done. Go to programs on windows and click procal4.

It will run the program..click update. Mine updated to a newer version.

Unplug from USB.
Go out to truck. Turn everything off.
Ac, heat, radio, unplug all USB etc.

I put a battery tender on my battery just in case.
Put vehicle in run mode.. for me that was three pushes or taps if you will on the start button. Make sure turn headlights off.

Plug in procal4 to the trucks port.

Procal4 lights up. Go to programming.

Download stock tune.

Do. Not touch anything. Just as your about to doze off from boredom the car lights will blink etc. Screen flashes key off on three secs.

Unplug procal4 and head back to your PC.

Plug in USB.

Click on procal4 software. This time it will download your stock tune and you will login thru software using your ford performance account and certificate number.

Your stock tune gets uploaded to Ford.

Then the tune downloads. You should now see the stock tune and new performance tune on software program. Screen.

Head back out to truck. I said a prayer.

Tapped the start button three times. Plug in procal4 again.

Pick programming performance tune.

This time it's writing so it's faster than the first time.

Just about 10 or so minutes. Screen flashes says key off three seconds and your headlights etc will pop on.

Unplug procal4 your done.

Go for a spin. Be light on throttle till the car learns shifting again. I did a 20 mile loop. Half city half highway. And could tell halfway through she was ready to rip.

Glad I did it but they should have sold the vehicle this way new. I like it but 700 bucks is a little pricey

Brian

 

[Stone17]

Great write up.

Waiting on the Dealership to install the tune (11/12).
I have already installed the Tune on the ProCal4. So it only a 10 min job for the dealer and $180.

 

[STJIM]

Brian, What’s the deal with the 3 pushes or taps on the start button?
Thanks! Jim

 

[schaggatron]

You don’t have to leave the proCal plugged in to the OBDII port do you?


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[dolsen]

You don’t have to leave the proCal plugged in to the OBDII port do you?


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Are you asking if the ProCal has to stay plugged in to run the tune? No, it does not. The ProCal is used for reprogramming the PCM and that is all. It can be unplugged once the software updates are made

 

[Stone17]

You don’t have to leave the proCal plugged in to the OBDII port do you?


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No. You can unplug it after you are done. The Tool does a lot more. Datalogging, Diagnostics, gauges.

 

[Rugrat2553]

One angle that I'm not sure has been covered here, but the FP tune also appears to be tow friendly. Probably one factor in the lower overall HP. The durability testing they require would include all driving modes and capacities.

It may have been tow friendly when it was released but now there is a disclaimer...

**Trailer towing not recommended**